PICTURES: Built with Bethlehem Steel

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At one point in the 1920s, Bethlehem Steel's chief engineer said “Bethlehem Steel owned New York.” The company’s beam design led to skyscraper after skyscraper, including parts of the Empire State Building.

At one point in the 1920s, Bethlehem Steel's chief engineer said “Bethlehem Steel owned New York.” The company’s beam design led to skyscraper after skyscraper, including parts of the Empire State Building.

Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, showing workers fixing a steel beam during the construction of the Empire State Building. At one point in the 1920s, Bethlehem Steel’s chief engineer said “Bethlehem Steel owned New York.” The company’s beam design led to skyscraper after skyscraper, including parts of the Empire State Building.

Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, showing workers fixing a steel beam during the construction of the Empire State Building. At one point in the 1920s, Bethlehem Steel’s chief engineer said “Bethlehem Steel owned New York.” The company’s beam design led to skyscraper after skyscraper, including parts of the Empire State Building.